HAZARD VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS The Joint Commission defines hazard vulnerability analysis as the identification of hazards and the direct and indirect effect these hazards may have on the hospital. Hazard vulnerability analysis is often based on an all hazards approach, which begins with a list of all possible disasters, regardless of their likelihood, geographic impact, or potential outcome. We have included a completed hazard vulnerability analysis on the pages that follow courtesy of the VNA of Boston. Following this example, we have also included a blank hazard vulnerability analysis tool as a resource and a starting point for your organization to evaluate vulnerability to specific hazards. You may modify or change it in any way that is appropriate for your individual facility use. This particular tool uses a quantitative method to evaluate vulnerability, which is also not required. You may find a qualitative method equally as effective. Using this tool, each potential hazard is evaluated as described above and scored as appropriate in the areas of probability, risk, and preparedness. The factors are then multiplied to give an overall total score for each hazard. Note that a hazard with no probability of occurrence for a given organization is scored as zero, and therefore will automatically result in a zero for the total score. Listing the hazards in descending order of the total scores will prioritize the hazards in need of the facility s attention and resources for emergency planning. It is recommended that your organization evaluate this final prioritization and determine a score below which no action is necessary. The focus will then be on the hazards of higher priority. Establishing a cutoff value, however, does introduce risk to your organization for those hazards falling below. Your facility has determined that there is some probability and risk of the event occurring, and has chosen to exclude it from the planning process. It must be noted that the acceptance of all risk is at the discretion of your organization. Instructions Evaluate every potential event in each of the three categories of probability, risk, and preparedness. Add additional events as necessary. Issues to consider for probability include, but are not limited to: 1. Known risk 2. Historical data 3. Manufacturer/vendor statistics Issues to consider for risk include, but are not limited to: A-1 2014 RBC Limited, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
1. Threat to life and/or health 2. Disruption of services 3. Damage/failure possibilities 4. Loss of community trust 5. Financial impact 6. Legal issues Issues to consider for preparedness include, but are not limited to: 1. Status of current plans 2. Training status 3. Insurance 4. Availability of backup systems 5. Community resources Multiply the ratings for each event in the area of probability, risk and preparedness. The total values, in descending order, will represent the events most in need of organization focus and resources for emergency planning. Determine a value below which no action is necessary. Acceptance of risk is at the discretion of the organization. A-2 2014 RBC Limited, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
HAZARD VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS: CMPLETED EXAMPLE EVENT PRBABILITY RISK PREPAREDNESS TTAL H I M E L N LIFE THREAT HEALTH/ SAFETY HIGH MD LW P F A G G D W N TIN TIN TIN I H E R R G SCRE 3 2 1 0 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 NATURAL EVENTS Hurricane 1 2 2 5 Tornado 0 0 Severe 3 1 1 5 Thunderstorm Snow fall 3 4 2 1 10 Blizzard 3 4 3 2 11 Ice Storm 3 4 2 2 11 Earthquake 1 2 1 4 Tidal Wave 0 0 Temperature 3 5 4 1 1 14 Extremes Drought 1 1 Flood, External 0 0 Wild Fire 0 0 Landslide 0 0 Volcano 0 0 Epidemic 1 4 2 2 9 A-3 2014 RBC Limited, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
HAZARD VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS: CMPLETED EXAMPLE EVENT PRBABILITY RISK PREPAREDNESS TTAL HIGH MED LW NNE LIFE THREAT HEALTH/ SAFETY PR FAIR GD HIGH TIN MD TIN LW TIN SCRE 3 2 1 0 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 TECHNLGI- CAL EVENTS Electrical 2 2 2 6 Transportation 1 2 1 4 Fuel Shortage 1 3 3 7 Natural Gas 1 1 2 4 Water 1 1 1 3 Sewer 1 1 1 3 Communication 1 2 s Fire Alarm 1 1 1 3 Information 1 2 2 5 Systems Fire, Internal 1 4 2 2 9 Flood, Internal 1 2 2 5 HVAC 2 2 2 6 A-4 2014 RBC Limited, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
Hazmat Exposure, Internal Unavailability of Supplies Structural Damage 1 1 3 5 1 2 2 5 1 2 1 4 HAZARD VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS: CMPLETED EXAMPLE EVENT PRBABILITY RISK PREPAREDNESS TTAL HIGH MED LW NNE L T HEALTH/ HIGH MD LW PR FAIR GD I H SAFETY DISRUP - TIN TIN TIN F R E E A T SCRE 3 2 1 0 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 HUMAN EVENTS Mass Casualty 1 5 3 3 12 Incident (trauma) Mass Casualty 1 2 3 6 Incident (medical) Mass Casualty 2 5 4 3 3 17 incident (hazmat) Hazmat Exposure, External 2 4 2 3 11 A-5 2014 RBC Limited, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
Terrorism, 1 5 3 3 12 Chemical Terrorism, 2 5 4 3 3 17 Biological VIP Situation 2 2 1 5 Infant Abduction 0 0 Hostage Situation 1 1 3 5 Civil Disturbance 1 1 1 3 Labor Action 1 3 1 5 Forensic Admission 0 0 Bomb Threat 1 1 1 3 Lost Patient 1 4 1 3 9 Scandal 1 1 3 5 A-6 2014 RBC Limited, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts